Vehicle shock absorber



Dec. 23, 1930. E. H. KREIDER VEHICLE SHOCK ABSORBER Filed Feb. 5, 1929 M0 7 NM fi /@005? 43 an. M 72911;

Paiemednee. as, 1930 g i 1,785,814

IJlN'WEDfSTATES PATENT OFFICE nNo's 1a. KREIDER, or LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA VEHICLE SHOCK ABSORBER,

Application filed February 5, 1929. Serial No. 337,641;

The object of this invention is'to provide casinglO against an outwardly-facing intera device which will automatically eliminate nal shoulder. practically all undesirable. disturbances to the The cover-plate fits down against the upper body of the vehicle whileflit is passing over side ofahead-bar 22 fitted into the cylindrical inequalities of the roadbed and which at the casing and extending horizontally there- 55 same time will automatically (i. e.. without across. Within the chamber, underneath the manual intervention) adjust itself to dif-' head-bar 22, vibrates the vane-piston 23 ferent vehicle loads, to the end that, what- Whichis afiixed to the inner end of the rockever the load may be and no matter how often shaft 12, the'outer edge of this vane-piston V it [may be. changed, the shock-absorbing working against the interior of the cylinder 60 capacities of the deviceas well as its free lOin'the usualmanner and being adapted 1 center actionrwill remain thesame, as more to oscillate, in the usual manner, with the fully hereinafter setforth; shaft 12/ The usual choke-passages lacon- In the drawing nect the oil-chambers at opposite sides of q Fig, 1 is ahorizontal' sectional view, lookthe piston to the interior of the shaft 12,

ing upwardly and taken on the line 11 of Where a valve-seat 25 is formed, so that the Fig.2; 7 ,Y Choke-passages may be controlled by means I Fig. 2is a vertical transverse sectional view of a valve 26 arranged axially in the shaft of a device embodying a desirable form of'my 12. Certain additional oil-passages 27 and invention; J r 28 are provided for'lubricating purposes. 7 Fig. ,3 is a detail top view of the valve- An oil relief-passage 29 extends from each controlling devices; i pressure chamber, through the bar 22, out Fig.4 is a detail plan of the cover-plate of throughthe outer face of the bar, so that they 3 the pressure chambers shall be always in communication with each Figsu5 :and 6 are diagrams showingthe other through the oil-reservoir 14. The covpartsindiiferent positions; i er-plate 21 is cutout so as to avoid covering 5 Fig. 7 is a detail view of the strainer. I 1 these oil-passages 29, outwardly-projecting Referring to the drawing annexed by referpins 30 being provided on the bar 22 for H ence-characters, 10 represents the cylindripositioning the cover-plate so as to always cal casing which is provided with the usual prevent it interfering with the free passage lugs 11 for fastening the same to the chassis of oil through these passages '29. In each Y and inwhich is journaled the usual horizonof the relief-passages 29 is arranged a checktal rock-shaft 12 which is connected by an valve 31 which opens toward its associated arm 13 in the usual manner to one of the pressure chamber, whose stem ext-ends axles, this latter connecting means not being thr ugh the bar 22 and projects slightly beshown because it is common in this art. y t er pp face of Sa1d bar when the Screwed to the interior of the cylindrical valve 2 QP' 3 l these casing 10 is an oil-reservoir shell 14 having f? 1n 1 05 g l I & fiumwpluo. 175, an oiptight jointv r this menu n the direction of the pressure cham- 40 bers. Each of the valves 31 is held normally SCI'8W'CO11I160t1011 belng provided. by means b 33 f b n k1 of a screw-rin '16 and a packin 17. The Open y 01-16 arm 0 a 6 Town 1" 1 d b 1 h mounted pivotally on the upper face of the 12 1510mm 6 m a w u m mung bar 22 by means of a screw-pivot 34, the

'- d between whose outer end and the shell lt a other arm 35 of Said belpcmnkleven being {15dv P g- 19 is arranged to, make an arranged to extend outwardly beyond the v h l l fi e Shell f 'f t outer face of the bar 22. The two bell-crank This y a i g f l 111 the levers are held in their normal positions (i. e., outer end of the cy ndr al c g 10 y with their arms'33 in position to hold the 'means of EL'QllSk 20 which 15 screwed into said valve 31 open) by means of a retractile v casing against a cover-plate 21 fitted into the spring 36 which connects the arms 35 and 2, in which position both valves 31 will be held'open and the pistontherefore will have holds said arms 35 normally against stoppins 37. Arranged to vibrate in the path of the outwardlyeextending ends of arms 35 is a pair of fingers 88 carried by a'spring-clamp 39 frictionally embracing the rock-shaft 12.

In order to maintain these fingers 38 in central position (i. e., in a position where the bell-cranks holdboth valves open, as shown in Fig. 2), I provide a central pin 40 which projects rigidly from the outer face of the bar 22.. I I v a The disk 20 is provided with a plurality of holes 41 for the passage of oil from and to the relief-passages 2 9, and over all these holes is arranged agauze strainer 42g'the 'objectof this arrangement is to prevent objectlonahleimpur ties entering the pressure chambersand thusinterfering with the proper operation of the piston and valves,

v\Vith a normal load on the vehicle, the

parts will be in the position shown in. Fig.

perfect freedom of action in either direction during minor vibrations, that is, so long as the vehi'cle'is running on a relatively-smooth roadand there is therefore noneedfor hring ing'the shock-absorber into action. I The instant, however, the wheel or wheels of the W- hicle' drop into a depression or are thrown up by an obstacle suflicient to impart a maj or vibration, one or the other of the fingers 38 will swing itsassociated bell-crank later- I ally far enough to release its associated valve, while the companion valve will remain locked open. ,In such case, the direction of move- 1 ment of the piston will be toward the lockedopen valve, so that the initial movement,

whether it be up or down, will not be hindered and the vehicle springs therefore will have full freedom of action. Upon return. however, of the piston, under the recoil of the vehicle-springs, the piston will move toward the released vvalve and, thus instantly close; that'valve and set up [a resistance against the movement ofthe piston, forcing the oilthroughthe choke-passages 24. As-I suming that the vehicle is again in its normal position and that another major vib ration or jounce in the opposite direction, the same action will take place in afreverse or- ,derf In this opcration of the device, the

spring band :39 will not have any movement relative to the'shaft on which it is clamped, as only in possiblerare-instances .Wlll the movement be great enough for eitherone of the finger-s38 to strike against the central {readjusting pin 40; It; willbe' observed further-that the restraint is continuous threughout the entire correcting movement of the device, and that 1f excessive road con "ditions are encountered onhot-lisides of the free center area, the restraint of the device is continuous both ways, restraining'r'ight through the free center areabutimmediately .posi

releasingfi. e., locking both valves open) when the vehicle again begins to run on a relatively-smooth roadbed. It will be seen further that during the period of time in Whichthe valve31 is closed and the vane 23' is moving toward the same valve, the bellcrank associated therewith will be free (so far as fingers 38. are concerned) to return to its original position, but, owing to they valve-stem projecting, above the surface on" .which the bell-crank isfiatlyheld, it is prevented from doing so until the liquid pressure on the valve-head is released, at which time it will quickly return (by virtue of the action of" the tension spring 86) to its home positioniag'ainst the stop-pin 37 w1th arm 33 again forming an obstruction for the the change in load, and the spring-band 39 together with its fingers 38 will be carried with the rotation of the shaft 12 until they meet stop-pin 40, atwhichtirnkethe shaft will turn Within the sprlng-band. The.

ton will remain in approximatelythis sh' po ion ofthe movements) so' long' as the, load remains the same, and the spring-band, with its fingers will also remain in the. shifted position until the vehicle has been driven some distance, this distance depending generally upon the character of the roadhed; din

axle will be suflicient to quickly restore the band and the fin ers to central osition with respect to the 7311140 and the valve-operating :levers. Thisshifting of the" band back to central position will'be causedprincipally 1 or the'other to a degree corresponding with V on- (which represents a new ceinn a-l.

any case, however, the slight ouncing of the by one of the fingers 38, namely, the-one nearest thepin 4:0, repeatedly striking against said pin 40 until the band has been slid backwardly far enough on the shaft 12 to centralme the fingers with respect to said pin 40 (as ishownin dotted lines in Fig. afterwhich the free-center functioning" will be resumed without regard to whetherthe piston is? nearer to one ofthe'valves 31 or the other. lntnis way, my device automatically (1. e., without the intervention of any manual maninulaticnsof any of the parts) readjusts itself after each change of vehicle load, to the en'd'that' whatever the load he, the shock absorber unctions. in vthe sahieway as with what might be called a normal load, 1. e, a load WlllCll would centralize the piston 23.

In the diagram, Fig. 5, I show the initial position of the parts upon a load decrease,

normal.

- each of these pressure chambers,

V VVhatI claim as new is:

1. In a vehicle shock-absorber of the hydraulic type embodying a vibratory valveless piston and pressure chambers, a free-center mechanism, and means whereby after a Change in the load on the vehicle-springs 1e free-center deviceswill by the vibration of the vehicle be automatically restored *to malfunction. I

2.v In a. vehicle shock-absorber of the hy draulic type embodying a rock-shaft carrying a valveless vane-piston and means forming a pressure chamber at each side thereof, an independent inwardly-opening valve for devices for normally holding these valves open to thereby permit a free-center movement of the vane-piston, and means whereby a major vibration of the unsprung portion of the ve hicle will rock the said shaft suthciently to release one of said-valves while positively holding the other open. v

3. In a vehlcle shock-absorber of the hy- I draulic type embodyinga rock-shaft carry ing a vane-piston and means forming a pressure chamber at each side thereof, an in wardly-opemng valve for each of these pressure chambers, devices for normally holoing these valves open to thereby permit a freecenter movement'of the vane-piston, and means whereby a ma or vibration oi't the unsprung portion of the vehicle Wlll rock the said shaft suliiciently to release one ofsaid valves while holding the other open said means embodying a pairofbell-cranlzs each having an arm engaging its associated valve, and spring means for normally tending to hold said bell-cranks in position to hold said valves open. v r

4. In a vehicle shock-absorber 0f the hydraulictype embodying a rock-shaft carrying a vane-piston and means forming a pressure chamber at each side thereof, an inwardly-opening valve for each of these pressure chambers, devices for normally holding these valves open to thereby permit a freecenter movement of the vane-piston, and

means whereby amajor vibration of the unsprung portion of the vehicle will rock the said shaft sufficiently to release one of said valves while holding the other open, said means embodying a band frictionally embracing said rock-shaft and carrying operating-fingers, and a device for automatically 7 shifting said band after'a change of load on V thevehiole-springs to return said fingers to free-center position. I r p 5(Ina vehicle shock-absorber of the hydraulic type embodying a rock-shaft carrying a vane-piston and means forming a pressure chamber at each side thereof, an inwardly-opening valve for each of these pressure chambers, devices for normally l i'olding these valves opento' thereby'permit a freecenter movement of the vanepisto'n, and means whereby'a major'vibra-tion of the un- "spru-n'g portion of the vehicle 'will rock the said shaft sufli'cientlyto releaseone of said valves Wlllle' holding the other open, sald means'embodying a 'band frictionall-y ember alt eachside of the "piston, choke-passages being provided for said pressure chambers and also arelief-passage for each of "said pressure chambers, a valve for each of'said pressure chambers opening inwardly; with respect to its associated pressure chamber, means for normally holding these-valves open during ininor rocking operations of said 'shaft and for alternately releasing said valves upon major vibrations'of'said shaft, the CODSt IHCtiOI I being such that said "means wi'll' be shifted out of normal free-center position upon changeof'jload on'the veh'cle-spring's, and a device whereby after the parts are shifted to abnormal'position by change of load the subsequent"vibrations of said shaft 'Wlll restore the parts to normal free-center position.

7. In a shock-absorber of the hydraulic type, a cylindrical casing'fa rock-shaft journaled therein and carrying a vane-pistoma member chamber at each side of the piston, a coverplate for closing the pressure chambers, and a bearing in said casing for said shaft carrying strainer means through which the oil must pass before entering either of said pressure chambers.

8. In a vehicle shock-absorber of the hydraulic [type embodying a rock-shaft and carrying a valveless piston and also casingmembers providing a pressure-chamber at each side of the piston, a free-center mechanism'permitting the piston to have unrestricted movement during minor vibrations, and means actuated by the rocking ofsaid shaft for alternately making operative said pressure-chambers upon major vibrations of the shaft.

9. In a vehicle shock-absorber of the hydraulic type embodying a rock-shaft and carrying a valveless piston and also casingmembers providinga pressure-chamber at each side of the piston, a free-center mechanism actuated by said shaft permitting the piston to have unrestricted movement during minor vibrations, and means actuated by the in the casing forming a. pressure QQking q said-sha 91 alt rnately mk n pemt va said; Pre sure-s mmers um a-J m vibrations, oi the shaft.

1 0- 1 a v hi h qk-a s l'be of he by: draul c y m qdy g' EQ K' hQ aQ mirying a alvelegs pisten and alsqcasihg-memh pr y n a Pr re-ch mber, at ea sid t e pist n, fle -cen er. m ani m actuat d; by id s af permit i e. P151191} t ha e unres i'q d; mor m fi du n m nor xiibmti ons, and means actuated by the rep];-

ing of a S br alt itly ll -k ng 9P1 ra izfe aid. pr sure-e bBrs PQn major vlbratlone of thesheft, means bemg provlcled whereby aftelj cha-nge of leed shifts the fleck-Shaft end piston and free-center mechenism ai r e-C nt r mech fni m w e automatically rester'ecl to nqrmal freecenter p it q y t f ing f S d S a du n the subsequentrunniflg oi the Vehicle.

11. In a hydl eu'lic shock-ebsprber, a cylincll'iwl Casing having means fe l ettaehing it he a chassis, e shell coyering the outer side of said casing and forming an eil-l eseryoi r, a; noekgshaftjpurneld in said casing and she d ca ying va e-P on, b n. exend a iss ep sing W th h mq t form pressure-chambers at eppqsitesides of s i Pr ssu eham ers, a co -p ar aid pl ess uye-ehambers, v meens' for fastening said q empl te n po it n m qd ng a he n for said reek-shaft, and means actuatedl frqm sflaid sha rft fbi gltepnatel y cer l tprollirig said es, fe thep l e s rth hqk e-passages being'prci'vided between sajd pressure- I ehe'mbers. e 1 v L In te t mony where f- I heneunto aflix. my signetui e 7 V $20 

